Messi agrees to buy Spanish second-tier club Eldense

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi has tears in his eyes as celebrates winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to take over Spanish second-tier club Eldense.

The deal is subject to the completion of due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council, ESPN reported on Tuesday, citing a source.

Eldense are currently owned by Colombian investment group Grupo TH, which also has clubs in Colombia and Switzerland.

If completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club owned by Messi.

PUNCH Online reported that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner acquired Spanish club Cornella in April 2026.

The Barcelona-based fifth-tier side has produced notable players, including Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba.

However, Eldense would be Messi’s first investment in a professional club in Spain, as Cornella remain a semi-professional side.

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Messi, 39, is also partially involved alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM.

Eldense and Cornella are currently separated by three divisions, meaning their ownership is unlikely to pose an immediate problem.

However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would be unlikely to allow both clubs to compete in the same division if Messi becomes the majority shareholder of both sides.

Eldense, founded in 1921, have spent most of their history outside Spain’s top two divisions.

The club returned to the second tier in 2023 for the first time since 1964, but were relegated in 2025 before returning to the division this summer.

Eldense have failed to win any of their four matches so far this season, leading to the dismissal of coach Claudio Barragán earlier this week. The club are currently without a manager.

The club play their home matches at the Nuevo Pepico Amat, a 5,776-capacity stadium in the city of Elda.